LAC/OLIVE VIEW-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 5ERS11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: LAC/OLIVE VIEW-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

CA00330702Based on interview and review of records/investigative reports provided by the hospital, the hospital failed to protect/prevent the unlawful and unauthorized access/disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for nine patients (Patients A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I). Several confidential documents were discovered in the possession by a person who was arrested by a law enforcement agency. The documents were identified by the hospital as financial assistance applications for nine patients who were seen at the hospital's Emergency Department.Findings:On 6/4/13 at 0900 hours, during an interview with hospital administration, the staff stated hospital documents were found in possession of a person arrested by a local police authority. The person arrested was not affiliated with the hospital and how this person had possession of these documents was unknown. Hospital administration stated the documents were patient face sheets (a document that contains demographic information, personal addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers) and were part of a financial screening process. The hospital's investigation showed the documents were placed in a designated locked area, with access only by hospital personnel. The location of these documents was to assist in calculating workload of the admission staff, but the process had been discontinued. Hospital administration was made aware of the breach of PHI on 10/2/12.The California Department of Public Health was notified on 10/4/12.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

The report containing this deficiency also includes information about 1 other violation. Note that these may be related to the same event: 5ERS11.02